A bill that would set up Gillette College to split from the Northern Wyoming Community College District has passed the Wyoming Senate.
Passage of the bill would not guarantee the creation of a Gillette community college district. If passed by the House and signed by the governor, the issue would be taken to a vote in the community.
During the Senate's final debate, lawmakers raised concerns about potential state funding.
But Gillette Sen. Jeff Wasserburger clarified the situation, saying that to receive state aid the community college district would have to levy four mills but doesn't have to if it doesn't need state funding.
"If we should ever have a situation where Gillette college did not cover all the state appropriation, then at that point in time, that new board of trustees would have to levy four mills," he said. "As of right now it's not necessary."
Wasserburger said because of Campbell County's high assessed valuation, it would not need to levy four mills to cover a community college district budget right now.
The Senate voted 20 to 10 to pass the bill, and it will now go on to the House.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Catherine Wheeler, at cwheel11@uwyo.edu .